'Rest in peace sweet treasure': Mother's heartbreaking tribute to daughter killed in Walsall 'hit-and-run'
The heartbroken mother of a seven-year-old girl killed in a suspected hit-and-run has paid an emotional tribute to her "sweet treasure".
Toys, flowers and heartfelt messages have been left at the scene where Katniss Seleznev was hit by a motorbike on Turnstone Road, in the Blakenall area of Walsall, at around 7pm on Thursday.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and remains in custody as he's questioned by police.
In a tribute on Facebook, Katniss' mother, Tsvetelina, said "God took her away too young and too fragile".
She said: "I don't have strength and I don't want to say goodbye to you, my star. How to let you go, my heart is bleeding, my soul is aching.
"Every day she told me 'I love you mom, you are the best mother and the most beautiful because you take care of me and do everything to make me happy'."
She described her daughter as "so strong, healthy, smiling", before adding that her dad was calling for her to open her eyes but she "closed them forever".
She continued: "Rest in peace sweet treasure! May your path be bright so you are not afraid in the dark without mom and dad!
"Peace to your soul!"
West Midlands Police has so far not confirmed her identity.
Residents have now called for more to be done to safeguard the streets, expressing their grief at the shocking death of the young girl, with some seen crying as they visited the vigil on Friday.
Tanya Hughes, 27, of Bloxwich, said: "It's so horrible, she was so young, only seven. I can't believe something like this has happened."
Meghan Davies, 36, also of Bloxwich, added: "How horrible, there really aren't words to describe it. I'm really just lost for words, I think the whole area is."
Detectives from West Midlands Police are still looking for the bike involved. It is described as a blue and black road bike with police making enquiries to find out the exact make and model.
DS Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This is an absolutely tragic event which has resulted in the death of an innocent child.
"We've still to recover the bike involved and I know someone out there in the local community knows where the bike is.
"I now need that community to come together and work with me. This is not about protecting people, this is about doing the right thing.
"As such I would urge anyone with any information, however large or small, to make contact with us. This is a heart-breaking situation that no family should ever go through and my thoughts are with the family of this young girl."
Anyone with any information should contact us via Live Chat on the West Midlands Police website or 101 quoting log 4332 of 27 July.
